RENEILWE Letsholonyane says he's far from worried about his recent exclusion from the Bafana Bafana squad, accepting that his international career could be over.
"I don't have a problem if I'm called up or not," the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder said yesterday. "I have always cherished representing my country and on all occasions I didn't have control over selection. If I'm selected, it's fine; if not, it's also fine."
The 32-year-old was among a host of experienced players left out of this month's Bafana camp for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan and Nigeria, but his great start to the season has led to suggestions that it could be difficult for coach Shakes Mashaba to ignore him.
Letsholonyane is surprisingly among the top scorers in the Premiership, with six goals in league and cup competitions from midfield, and a generally influential contribution towards Amakhosi's 100% winning start to the season.
But having been part of Bafana's failed setup for the past few years, it's likely the man nicknamed Yeye may not get another chance to add to his 48 caps.
Nevertheless, his exclusion from the recent camp didn't deter him from watching Bafana collect four points in their Group A qualifiers.
"I watched both games. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with the display we showed against Sudan, especially as it was an away game. The team played so well - it was as if they had been together for six months, yet it was the first game.
"Against Nigeria, we gave an even more improved performance; it's just that we squandered scoring opportunities. Generally I was impressed with the team."
Letsholonyane's primary focus will be to help Amakhosi in the MTN8 final against rivals Orlando Pirates in Durban this Saturday.
"We will do the same things we've been doing. We are helped by the fact that we've kept the same setup and coach. I'm confident we will win," he said.
Yeye fine with snub
RENEILWE Letsholonyane says he's far from worried about his recent exclusion from the Bafana Bafana squad, accepting that his international career could be over.
"I don't have a problem if I'm called up or not," the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder said yesterday. "I have always cherished representing my country and on all occasions I didn't have control over selection. If I'm selected, it's fine; if not, it's also fine."
The 32-year-old was among a host of experienced players left out of this month's Bafana camp for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan and Nigeria, but his great start to the season has led to suggestions that it could be difficult for coach Shakes Mashaba to ignore him.
Letsholonyane is surprisingly among the top scorers in the Premiership, with six goals in league and cup competitions from midfield, and a generally influential contribution towards Amakhosi's 100% winning start to the season.
But having been part of Bafana's failed setup for the past few years, it's likely the man nicknamed Yeye may not get another chance to add to his 48 caps.
Nevertheless, his exclusion from the recent camp didn't deter him from watching Bafana collect four points in their Group A qualifiers.
"I watched both games. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with the display we showed against Sudan, especially as it was an away game. The team played so well - it was as if they had been together for six months, yet it was the first game.
"Against Nigeria, we gave an even more improved performance; it's just that we squandered scoring opportunities. Generally I was impressed with the team."
Letsholonyane's primary focus will be to help Amakhosi in the MTN8 final against rivals Orlando Pirates in Durban this Saturday.
"We will do the same things we've been doing. We are helped by the fact that we've kept the same setup and coach. I'm confident we will win," he said.
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